by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
They may be just outside of the dense Super Bowl action, but San Marco merchants say they plan to leave a light on for the thousands of Super Bowl tourists headed Jacksonville’s way.
San Marco Merchants Association president Jay Jabour said several area businesses including Pick of the Crop, San Marco Petites and his own Karl’s Clothiers will offer extended hours for the latter half of the week preceding the game.
Beginning Thursday, Feb. 3 through Feb. 5, participating stores will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Sunday, those same stores will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“It’s still a little early, but I feel like the majority of the area businesses will come together on this,” Jabour said. “We’re still contacting everyone we can think of, even those businesses who aren’t in the Merchants Association, to let them know about our plans.”
Jabour said the later hours reflect an understanding that visitors need something to do during the days just before the big game.
“When they’re here there will be a lot going on,” he said, “but when people drive through San Marco, I want them to feel welcome. I don’t think anyone wants to turn them away.”
Aside from the extended hours and some sprucing up that took place as part of the Super City Clean Up over the weekend, district City Council member Art Shad and Jabour
said organized events in San Marco have not and likely will not be
scheduled.
“We talked a little bit about closing roads and putting on something like an Art Festival, but in the end, we felt like the NFL has this pretty well taken care of,” he said. “Our main role will be to support the activities happening near by the best that we can.”